Who is eligible for free school meals and childcare?
Generally, from the age of reception year to year 2, children would be entitled to universal free school meals, including children who are residing in the UK under the BN(O) visa route. Please see:
If your children are between year 3 to year 12 and meet other eligibility criteria, they are also entitled to free school meals. Please see:
https://www.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/information-and-resources/rights-and-entitlements/services-for-children-and-families/free-school-meals/year-3-and-above#guide-content
If you are residing in the Greater London area, starting from the school year 2023/24, primary school pupils in state-funded schools can continue to get free school meals.
https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-mayor-does/priorities-london/free-school-meals
The UK Government has childcare support for parents.
Despite the BN(O) visa having a condition of ‘no recourse to public funds’, you may still be eligible for free childcare for your 2-year-old before they turn 3. You must live in England and your household income must be no more than:
- £26,500 for families outside of London with one child
- £34,500 for families within London with one child
- £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children
- £38,600 for families within London with two or more children
You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.
There might be more support available from April 2024 for residents in England, please visit this page for more information and consult your local council: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
All parents of all children aged 3 to 4 in England can get 570 free hours of childcare per year. It’s usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year.
The free early education and childcare:
- must be provided by an approved childcare provider
- stops when your children start in reception class (or reaches compulsory school age, if later)
- You may have to pay for extra costs like meals, nappies or trips.
Children can get free childcare starting from the school term after their 3rd birthday.
Contact your childcare provider or check with your local council if you are unsure.
There are other similar schemes in devolved nations, their eligibility criteria might differ. Please visit the pages below and get in touch with your local council if you have any enquiries:
Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/parenting-and-childcare/childcare
Scotland: https://www.mygov.scot/childcare-costs-help/funded-early-learning-and-childcare
Wales: https://www.gov.wales/get-help-flying-start & https://www.gov.wales/get-30-hours-childcare-3-and-4-year-olds
For more information, please visit the guidance from the Government:
https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds
https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-2-to-4-year-olds
How can I get a school place for my children in where I live?
The UK Government official Welcome Pack for BN(O) visa holders contains guidance for parents in England (P.29-32), you can refer to P. 29-32 of the booklet. If you have any further enquiries, you should contact the relevant department or institutions, or visit the information below –
Childcare for children aged 3-4: https://www.gov.uk/get-childcare
Schools for children aged 5-16: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council (To contact the council of the area that you plan to reside/are residing)
Further education for young people aged 16 or above: https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses or https://www.gov.uk/courses-qualifications
Education is managed by your local council (The organisational structure could vary depending on where you live). To find your local council, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
There is a fixed time schedule to apply for school place every year in the local council, especially when you are applying for (a) reception, (b) year 1 and (c) year 7. You must read through all relevant information carefully and contact the council staff/submit an application through the specified channel as instructed.
If you missed the deadline and still wish to apply for a school place, it would be seen as In-year admissions. You must follow the instructions for In-year admissions to contact council staff/submit an application.
If you are residing in the devolved nations, you would still need to contact your local council to make an application for your children. Please visit the following websites to find your local council:
Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/local-councils-in-northern-ireland